Diaper



Jan. 26, 1937.

G. H. JACKSON, JR

DIAPER Filed oct.' 1e, 1955 Patented Jan. 26, 1937 ratez 13 Claims.

The invention relates generally to diapers, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a new and improved diaper construction em- A- bodying readily disposable receiving means, and

A so constructed and arranged as to be convenient in use and practical for employment with relatively large infants.

Another object is to provide a diaper construction arranged to employ readily disposable receiving pads and embodying means for maintaining the pads in proper position and form without danger of irritating the highly sensitive nerves of, or chang the body surfaces about the genitalia, and Without interference with the normal blood circulation.

Another object is to provide a diaper construction of this character wherein separate front and rear receiving pads are supported by sheath means constructed to employ pads of the same size and shape in the front and rear of the device whereby to simplify and reduce the cost of manufacture and use of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a diaper construction embodying a water-proof supporting member for the absorptive pads so formed and arranged as to insure an effective seal about the receptive inner surfaces of the pads, whereby to conne and prevent undesired K spreading of the urine or eliminated stool over the adjacent body surfaces.

A further object is to provide an absorptive pad shaped to serve as either the frontor rear pad in a holder or sheath device, and formed to facilitate the reception and absorption of either the urine or the eliminated stool, and also formed and arranged to prevent nerve irritation or interference with the blood circulation of the genital organs and the adjacent areas of either sex, as well as to prevent undue pressure on 4o these organs.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

45 Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional View taken through a dia-per embodying the features of the invention, the view being taken substantially along the line I--i of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the inner or 50 body-contacting surface of the diaper illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the receiving pads employed in the present diaper.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the pad taken 55 along the line --il of Fig` 3.

(Cl. 12S-284) Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of an alternative form of the invention.

While I have shown in the drawing and will 5 herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment of my invention, together with one altere native embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that I do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific forms disclosed, but 10 aim to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the preferred form chosen for illustration 15 in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawing, the invention is embodied in al diaper comprising an elongated, relatively flat holder IB adapted to extend, in the general form illustrated in Fig. 1, between the thighs of an infant from front to rear, and 20 to be drawn and held in place rmly against the adjacent body surfaces by attachmentto a suitable supporting means such as a belt (not shown) by means of a plurality of laterally eX- tending straps or fasteners Il Xed to opposite 25 ends of the holder l0. In such a positioning of the holder lll, one end Ilia is positioned against the front of the infants body while the other end lb lies centrally against the infants back substantially at the upper level of the hip bones. 3U

The present invention and the embodiments` herein illustrated contemplate the mounting of separate pads i2 on the front and rear portions of the holder Il) whereby to reduce the size of the individual pads and render the device prac- 35 tical for relatively large infants, and also to simplify and reduce the cost of use of the diaper with infants who have reached an age at which urination takes place at a relatively frequent rate as compared with the frequency with which the stool is eliminated.

For simplicity and economy of manufacture, as well as convenience of use, the pads i2 for the front and rear portions of the holder are preferably of the same size and shape. Thus each pad, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, comprises an elongated, relatively ilat body of soft, pliable and readily disposable material having a relatively high factor of liquid absorption, such, for example, as fiberized alpha pulp. At its upper end the pad is relatively wide, and it tapers toward its lower end as shown in Fig. 3. In order that the pad, in its application to the infant, may interlock with the cleft in the rear of the infants body, the upper portion of the pad is formed with a longitudinally positioned ridge I3 extending along the median line of the inner surface of the pad, this form being best shown in Fig. of the drawing. To obtain a similar action in the lower end of the rear pad, the lower end of each pad has a similar ridged inner surface I4 as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The inner surface of each pad, intermediate the ridges I3 and I4, is preferably formed to facilitate the reception and absorption of the urine or eliminated stool, and for this reason a depression is formed therein, spaced from the side, top and bottom edges of the inner surface of the pad. This depression I5 preferably has a plurality of laterally spaced ridges I6 therein, which ridges may run longitudinally of the pad and substantially parallel to each other as illustrated in Fig. 3, or may have other relative arrangements such as that shown in Fig. 2 wherein the ribs or ridges I6 radiate from the center of the depression I5. In either arrangement of the ridges I6, the portions located nearest to the median line of the pad are of less height than the ridges at the side of the depression as shown in Fig. 4. Thus when the pad is used in the front portion of the holder, undue pressure on the genital organs of either sex is avoided, while in its use on the rear portion of the holder, sufiicient clearance or capacity is provided in the depression I5 to receive the eliminated stool.

As herein shown the front and rear portions of the holder are of similar form and construction, each being formed to provide a sheath 2E! of a size adapted to embrace and hold one of the pads I2 with at least a part of the recessed portion of the inner surface of the pad exposed for positioning adjacent to and in opposed relav tion to the infants body. Thus, as illustrated in Figs. l and 5, each sheath 2li has an outer wall 2| with end and side walls 22 and 23 and an inner wall forming upper, lower and side flanges 24, 25 and 26 which may overlie the inner surface of a pad I2 so as to hold the same in the sheath. The flanges are preferably of such a width as to expose at least a portion of the depression I5. In the form shown the lower flange 25 extends upwardly beyond the lower extremity of the depression I5 (Fig. l) whereby to form a relatively small trap to retain urine or eliminated stool until properly absorbed by the pad I2. In this connection it should be noted that the various parts of the sheath are so connected to each other as to be in water-proof relation. The overlap of the lower flange of the sheaths also acts to prevent contact of the soiled lower ends of the pads with the body, and in addition, acts to prevent intermingling of the stool and the urine.

At their lower ends, the two sheaths 2@ are connected together end to end, preferably by a wall or web 3B joined to the outer wall El of the two sheaths. The sheaths 2B as well as the connecting web of the holder II) are constructed of a water-proof sheet material such as rubber, waxed or oiled silk or other treated fabric or sheet material.

When the present diaper is applied to an infant and is drawn to place or tightened by means of the fasteners, the lowermost portions, that is, the lower ends and sides of the sheaths 2li, receive the greatest portion of the force tending to draw the pads and the flanges of the sheaths against the infants body. The tightening of this lower portion of the device against the body surface is, of course, highly important in obtaining satisfactory functioning of the device, and it should be noted that the ridged formation of the lower end of the rear pad I2 tends to produce a corresponding ridged form in the lower flange 25, whereby to effectually seal the lower border of the rear portion of the diaper. An equally effective seal is produced along the side edges of the depression I5 of the rear pad, since the side portions of the pad bordering the depression I5 form, in effect, longitudinal side ridges 3I underlying the side flanges 26 of the sheath and acting to press these anges against the body surfaces.

In the front portion of thev diaper, a similar seal is effected, the side ridges 3E serving to press the side flanges 25 of the sheath 2E) into the groins of the infant, while the ridged lower flange 25 is flattened against the perineum to seal the lower end.

An important factor in obtaining the proper sealing of the pads about their side and lower edges is the elongated and slightly tapered form of the two sheaths 20, and their connection by a web spaced from the inner face of the sheaths. With this form, the endwise force exerted on the upper corners of the two sheaths causes the two side edges to be drawn inwardly against the body surfaces, while the connecting web transmits the tension between the ends of the sheaths without interference with the inward or upward clamping of the lower ends of the sheaths.

Whenever possible the pads I2 are formed in such a manner as to rely solely upon the strength and cohesion of the absorptive mass to maintain the form of the pads during shipment and storage. However, when required by the characteristics or compaction of the absorptive material, a fabric wrapper 32 may be provided at small cost on each pad I2 in the general form shown in Fig. 6.

It will be noted that the depression I5 in the pads is relatively long and wide as illustrated in Fig. 3, this form being desirable in order that sufficient clearance and capacity may be afforded for the use of the pads for either the front or rear of the diaper. The depression I5 is, of course, located adjacent to the lower or narrow end of the pad in order that it may be properly located lengthwise ofthe diaper to insure accomplishment of the desired function. By the provision of a relatively large Volume of absorptive material in the wide upper end of the pad above the depression I5, the present pad is endowed with a reserve absorptive capacity which increases its efliciency and insures satisfactory results even though an unusual quantity of fluid is deposited in the lower or receiving portion of the pad.

I claim as my invention: Y

l. A diaper comprising, in combination, an elongated holder adapted to extend between the thighs of an infant, said holder comprising a flat narrow strip of water-proof sheet material adapted to be secured at its opposite ends at the front and rear of an infants body substantially at the level of the hip bones, a pair of elongated flat pads of absorbent material positioned on the flat surface of said elongated strip which is to face the infants body when applied, said pads being of substantially the same width as said strip and being located relatively close to each other endwise of said strip, and means formed from water-proof sheet material and permanently attached to said strip in waterproof relation to engage the sides, ends and bordering edges of said pads to hold the same in position on said strip and form, with said strip, a water-proof sheath about the major portion of the surfaces of said pads.

2. A diaper of the character described comprising, in combination, a pair of relatively flat elongated pads formed from absorbent material and each having a depression in one of its broad flat faces of a size adapted to receive and embrace the genital organs of an infant of either sex, a pair of relatively fiat elongated sheaths joined end to end and formed from water-proof material with one flat face of each sheath open throughout substantially its entire area, each of said sheaths being adapted to receive and hold one of said pads with substantially the entire area of the depression in said pads exposed through the open face of the embracing sheath, and means for applying pressure to said sheaths to press the open faces thereof against the body surfaces of an infant, said sheaths being so joined and proportioned that in the application of the device to an infant the depression in one pad is positioned over the anus, while the depression in the other pad embraces and lies over and around the genital organs.

3. A diaper of the character described, comprising, in combination, an elongated, at, nar row strip of water-proof sheet material adapted to be secured at its opposite ends at the front and rear of an infants body substantially at the level of the hip bones, a pair of elongated flat pads of absorbent material, each pad having a depression in one of its broad faces adjacent to one end of the pad, and the pads being positioned on one flat surface of the elongated strip with said depressions of the pads adjacent to each other and facing away from said strip, said pads being of substantially the same width as said strip and being located relatively close to each other endwise of the strip, and holding means engaging said pads to hold the same in position on said strip.

4. A diaper comprising, in combination, an elongated narrow strip of water-proof sheet material adapted to be secured at its opposite ends at the front and rear of an infants body sub stantially at the level of the hip bones, a pair of elongated flat pads of absorbent material, each pad having a depression in one of its broad faces adjacent to one end of the pad, and the pads being positioned on one at surface of the strip with said depressions of the pads adjacent to each other and facing away from the strip, said pads being of substantially the same width as said strip and being located relatively close to each other endwise of the strip, and means formed from water-proof material permanently joined to said strip in water-proof relation to engage the sides, ends and bordering edges of said pads to hold the same in position on said strip and form with said strip a water-proof sheath about the major portion of the surface of said pads, the holding means along the said adjacent ends of said pads being proportioned to overlap a portion of said depressions.

5.7In a diaper, an elongated, relatively flat holder formed from water-proof sheet material to provide two sheaths of similar size and construction, said sheaths each being relatively widel at one end and tapering to a less width at its other end, said ends of less width being joined together by a portio-n of said holder, said sheaths each comprising an outer wall with side and end walls extending inwardly and having relatively narrow inturned flanges substantially parallel to said outer wall and adapted to engage the inner face of a pad to retain the same in said sheath,

6. In a diaper, the combination of a pair of relatively flat elongated sheaths of substantially the same size and shape formed from waterproof material with one flat face of each sheath open throughout substantially its entire area, each of said sheaths being adapted to receive and hold a pad of absorbent material, means on said sheaths for holding such pads in place therein, and means for applying pressure to said sheaths at the other face thereof to press said open faces thereof against the body surfaces of an infant in the application of the diaper to the infant.

7. A diaper comprising an elongated, relatively ilat holder having front and rear portions tapering in width toward the midpoint of the holder, said front and rear portions each comprising a flat outer wall of sheet material with inturned side and end Walls of sheet material along the sides and ends of said outer wall, and intermediate wall means of sheet material connecting said side walls and connected to said outer wall adjacent to tlie midpoint of said holder, all of said walls being formed from water-proof material and serving to define two spaces each adapted to receive a pad of absorbent material, and relatively narrow flanges of water-proof material on said side, end and intermediate walls to overlie such pads and hold the pads in position in said spaces.

8. A diaper comprising an elongated, relatively nat holder formed from water-proof sheet material to provide two sheaths of similar size and construction joined together at adjacent ends by a part of said holder, said sheaths each comprising an outer wall with side and end walls extending inwardly and having relatively narrow inturned flanges adapted to engage the inner face of a pad to retain the same in the sheath, said anges being arranged to expose a substantial portion of the inner faces of such pads adjacent to the joined ends of said sheaths,

9. In a diaper, the combination of a pair of relatively flat elongated sheaths joined end to end and formed from water-proof material with one fiat face of each sheath being open throughout substantially its entire area., a pair of pads of absorbent disposable material removably positioned one in each of said sheaths, said pads being of the same size and form and each pad having a depressed area exposed by the open face of its sheath, and means for applying pressure to said sheaths to press said open faces thereof against the body surfaces of an infant in the application of the diaper to the infant.

l0. A diaper pad adapted for use as either a front or rear pad in a diaper, said pad comprising a relatively long flat body of absorptive disposable material, one broad face of which is adapted to constitute the inner, body-contacting face of the pad in use, said body being of such a form as to provide a depression in said broad face adjacent to one end thereof, said depression being relatively broad transversely of the pad and relatively long lengthwise of the pad while being spaced from the side and adjacent end edges of said face whereby said depression provides clearance for the genital organs of either sex or sufficient capacity for the eliminated stool, depending on the position in which it is used.

11. A pad of the character described adapted for use as either a front or rear receiving means in a diaper, said pad comprising a relatively long flat body of absorptive disposable material one broad face of Which is adapted to constitute the inner body-contacting face of the pad when in use, said body being shaped to provide a depression formed in said broad face adjacent to one end thereof, said depression being relatively wide transversely of the pad, and being relatively long endwise of the pad, While being spaced from the end edges of said pad so that said depression provides clearance for the genital organs of either sex when used as the front pad, and suicient capacity for the eliminated stool when used as the rear pad, and laterally spaced ridges formed from said material and extending generally across said depression.

12. A diaper -pad adapted for use as either a front or rear pad in a diaper, said pad comprising a relatively long at body of absorptive disposable material one broad face of which is adapted to constitute the inner body-contacting face of the pad in use, said body being of such a form that said broad face tapers from one end of the pad to the other to provide a narrow end and a Wide end, said pa also being formed to provide a longitudinally extending, centrally located ridge adjacent to the opposite ends of the broad face, with a depression formed in said broad face adjacent to said narrow end,

d depression being relatively broad transversely of the pad and relatively long endWise of the pad, While being spaced from the side and narrow-end edges of said face, said size of the depression providing clearance for the genital organs of either sex when used as a front pad and sucient capacity for the eliminated stool when used as a rear pad, and laterally spaced ridges formed from said material in said depression, said ridges being relatively V10W adjacent to the median Alongitudinal portion of said depression so as to prevent undue pressure on the genital organs when the pad is used as a front receiving means.

13. In a diaper, the combination of a pair of pads of similar size and shape arranged substantially end to end, each of said pads being adapted to serve as either the front or rear pad, and each pad comprising a relatively long flat body of absorptive disposable material, one broad face of which is adapted to constitute the inner, body-contacting face of the pad in use, said body being of such a form as to provide a depression in said broad face, said depression being relatively broad transversely of the pad and relatively long lengthwise of the pad While being spaced from the side and end edges of said face whereby said depression provides clearance for the genital organs of either sex or suicient capacity for the eliminated stool, depending on the position in which it is used, and means operably to support said pads in the desired relationship to each other and to the infant to which the diaper is applied.

GEO. H. JACKSON, JR 

